Difference between revisions of "Horseless Headless Horsemann"

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{{infobox class
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| image = HHH.png
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{{Hazard infobox
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| class  = N/A
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  | image       = HHH.png
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| type   = [[NPC]]
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   | health     = 3,000 <small>+200 for each player in the server</small>
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| health = '''3000''' <small>+200 for each player in the server.</small>
+
  | damage      = 80% of the victim's base health
 +
  | backup      = No
 +
  | bonk        = Yes
 +
  | candy-cane  = No
 +
  | targe      = No
 +
  | dead-ringer = Yes
 +
  | gunboats    = No
 +
  | jumpers    = No
 +
  | mini-crits  = No
 +
  | uber        = Yes
 +
  | maps        = {{map link|Mann Manor}}, {{map link|Bloodwater}}, {{map link|Carnival of Carnage}}, {{map link|Hellstone}}, {{map link|Brimstone|Brimstone (map)}}, {{map link|Gravestone}}, {{map link|Graveyard}}, {{map link|Slasher}}, {{map link|Bonesaw|Bonesaw (map)}}
 
}}
 
}}
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{{Quotation|'''The Soldier''' to the Horseless Headless Horsemann|This is my world! You are not welcome in my world!|sound=Soldier_taunts17.wav}}
 
  
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The '''Horseless Headless Horsemann''', often abbreviated to '''HHH''', is an enemy that appears in [[Mann Manor]]. As the undead form of [[Non-player characters#Silas Mann|Silas Mann]], this character will spawn out of the currently contested [[control point]] after a pre-determined amount of time, and proceed to hunt down and kill players on both teams. Due to immense size and strength, the  Horsemann is capable of instantly killing any player or [[building]] he strikes. He will continue his massacre until killed by a player (or players).
+
{{Quotation|The TF2 Blog|Listen closely! What's that you hear? Is it the clip clop of haunted hoofs? Nope. It's the terrifying, completely foot-generated clomping of the Horseless Headless Horseman! He's come to steal your soul! And, if you have one, your horse!}}
  
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The Horseless Headless Horsemann is referred to as "''Team Fortress'''s first boss monster" on the official [http://www.teamfortress.com/screamfortress/ Scream Fortress] update page.
+
The '''Horseless Headless Horsemann''', the undead form of [[Non-player characters#Silas Mann|Silas Mann]], is a neutral enemy that first appeared in [[Mann Manor]] and can now be found in several [[Halloween map]]s, both Valve-made and community-created. In Mann Manor, approximately every 8 minutes, he spawns at the currently contested [[control point (objective)|control point]] and hunts down players from both teams, provided there is at least 10 players in the server. He has a great deal of health, deals devastating damage in a single attack, and continues to rampage until defeated by the players. In [[Carnival of Carnage]], he spawns in the Bumper Car Soccer and Falling Platform bumper car games after a certain amount of time, carrying the [[Necro Smasher]] instead of his [[Horseless Headless Horsemann's Headtaker|normal weapon]]. On [[Hellstone]], he spawns when the BLU team captures the second point, and there is a modest chance of him spawning in any game on [[Brimstone (map)|Brimstone]], [[Gravestone]], and [[Slasher]].
 +
 
 +
The Horseless Headless Horsemann is referred to as "''Team Fortress'''s first boss monster" on the official [https://www.teamfortress.com/screamfortress/ Scream Fortress Update] page.
  
 
== Mechanics ==
 
== Mechanics ==
−
===Player targeting===
+
[[File:Horseless Headless Horseman HP Chart.png|250px|right|thumb|Damage graph showing the number of players vs. the health of the Horseless Headless Horsemann.]]
−
A player within a certain proximity to the Horseless Headless Horsemann when it spawns or loses its target will be designated as "It," whereupon they become the primary target for the Horseless Headless Horsemann.  
+
=== NPC entity ===
 +
The Horseless Headless Horsemann is classified as part of the map's environment; any kills made by him count as environmental deaths for the victim. On-hit effects, such as the charging of the [[Buff Banner]], healing provided by the [[Black Box]], or the [[L'Etranger]] refilling Cloak, do not trigger upon a successful attack against the Horsemann. Additionally, the Horseless Headless Horsemann is completely immune to all status ailments, such as [[Jarate]], [[slowdown]], or [[bleeding]]. He is, however, affected by Critical hits and damage ramp up/fall off.
 +
 
 +
If the Horseless Headless Horsemann is under half health, he will hold his axe in one hand instead of two-handing it.<ref>game\server\tf\halloween\halloween_behavior:L432-448</ref>
 +
 
 +
=== Player targeting ===
 +
The Horseless Headless Horsemann designates any player on RED or BLU as "it" if they are within 1500 [[Hammer unit]]s of the current [[Control point (objective)|Control Point]] that BLU needs to capture. If there are no players within this 1500 Hammer unit range, he stands at the Control Point.
  
−
The current ("It") is marked with a floating white skull-and-crossbones symbol, but the status can be passed on by striking a player on the opposing team with a [[melee]] weapon. The Horseless Headless Horsemann can change targets if the player marked "It" moves close enough to RED or BLU's spawn, moves out of range from the Horseless Headless Horsemann, or survives for thirty seconds without being killed.
+
The player designated as "It" is notified via an on-screen message and marked with a floating white skull and crossbones icon. The Horseless Headless Horsemann changes targets if "It" is killed, to whoever killed "it", unless they are far away enough, is more than 2000 Hammer units away from the currently contested Control Point, gets [[ÜberCharge|Übered]], or is in an area inaccessible to the Horseless Headless Horsemann, such as the respawn room. Additionally, a player can hit an enemy with a melee weapon to pass the "It" status to them, in a manner similar to tag.
  
−
If no one is "It", the Horseless Headless Horsemann may perform a "Boo" taunt. When doing so, he crouches and spreads his arms wide while releasing a loud "Boo!", stunning anyone in a range of 500 [[Hammer unit|units]]. This is similar to the [[Ghost]]'s effect and can also grant the ''Scared Stiff'' [[Scarechievement]].  
+
Every now and then when attacking players, the Horseless Headless Horsemann may spread his arms and release a loud "Boo!" Any players within 500 Hammer units are stunned and placed into a state of fear. Players wearing the [[Horseless Headless Horsemann's Head]] or [[Saxton Hale Mask]] are immune to being stunned by the Horseless Headless Horsemann's taunt.
−
Wearing the [[Horseless Headless Horsemann's Head]] or the [[Saxton Hale Mask]] provides immunity from being stunned in this way.
 
  
−
===Horsemann health===
+
=== Health ===
−
The Horseless Headless Horsemann has a base health of 3000, increasing by 200 per player in the server, setting his health at 7800 (24-player server) or a maximum of 9400 (in an increased slot 32-player server). He will not spawn if there are under 10 players in the server, placing his minimum possible health at 5000. The Horseless Headless Horsemann will begin to "shiver" when he has been defeated before exploding. The game will then announce his annihilation via a sound and message on screen.
+
The Horseless Headless Horsemann has a base health of 3000 that increases by 200 for each player in the server. His actual minimum possible health is 5000, as he does not spawn if there are fewer than 10 players in the server, while his maximum possible health is 9400, in an increased slot 32-player server. With the addition of {{code|-unrestricted_maxplayers}} in the {{Patch name|7|25|2023}}, the maximum may be even higher (up to 23000 max with 100 players).
  
−
The Horseless Headless Horsemann spawns roughly every 8 minutes (± 1 minute), and can only spawn on the map [[Mann Manor]].
+
=== Death ===
 +
The Horseless Headless Horsemann begins to "shiver" when he has been defeated before exploding shortly afterwards. His defeat is announced via a sound and on-screen message to all players on the server. The last three players to damage the Horseless Headless Horsemann are credited with killing him.
  
−
=== Audio Cues ===
+
=== Audio cues ===
 
These sounds play during the event:
 
These sounds play during the event:
−
*[[Media:halloween_boss_summoned_fx.wav|Halloween Boss has spawned]]<sup>‡</sup>
+
* [[Media:halloween_boss_summoned_fx.wav|Halloween Boss has spawned]]<sup>‡</sup>
−
*[[Media:halloween_boss_chosen_it.wav|You have been tagged as 'it'.]]
+
* [[Media:halloween_boss_chosen_it.wav|You have been tagged as 'it'.]]<sup>†</sup>
−
*[[Media:halloween_boss_tagged_other_it.wav|Another player has been tagged as 'it'.]]
+
* [[Media:halloween_boss_tagged_other_it.wav|Another player has been tagged as 'it'.]]<sup>†</sup>
−
*[[Media:halloween_boss_defeated_fx.wav|Halloween Boss has been defeated.]]<sup>‡</sup>
+
* [[Media:halloween_boss_defeated_fx.wav|Halloween Boss has been defeated.]]<sup>‡</sup>
−
<sup>‡</sup>Accompanied by a [[Notification]] Popup.
+
<sup>‡</sup>Accompanied by a notification Popup.
 +
 
 +
<sup>†</sup>Shown through in-game chat.
  
 
== Holiday items ==
 
== Holiday items ==
−
Contributing to killing the Horseless Headless Horsemann awards both the ''Sleepy Holl0wnd'' [[Ghostchievements|ghostchievement]] and the [[Horseless Headless Horsemann's Head]] hat. If a player delivers a killing melee blow, either delivering the fatal melee hit or being one of the last three to deliver a melee hit, that player will receive an [[Haunted Metal Scrap|Unusual Haunted Metal Scrap]] and the ''Gored'' ghostchievement.  
+
Contributing to killing the Horseless Headless Horsemann awards both the ''Sleepy Holl0wnd'' [[Ghostchievements|Ghostchievement]] and the [[Horseless Headless Horsemann's Head]] [[Cosmetic items|cosmetic]]. If a player is credited with killing the Horseless Horsemann with a melee attack, the player receives an [[Haunted Metal Scrap|Unusual Haunted Metal Scrap]] and the ''Gored'' Ghostchievement.
  
−
== General strategy ==
+
== Strategy ==
−
[[File:Horseless_Headless_Horseman_HP_Chart.png|250px|right|thumb|Damage graph showing the number of players, vs. health of the Horseless Headless Horsemann.]]
+
{{main|Community Mann Manor strategy}}
−
*A strategy for the player designated "It" is to act as bait for the Horseless Headless Horsemann, while all other players inflict as much damage as they can.
+
{{main|Horseless Headless Horsemann match-ups}}
−
*The Horseless Headless Horsemann's target can trap him by standing on the ledge behind the wall of the shack on the rock outcrop. Standing there while targeted makes the Horseless Headless Horsemann attack the wall of the shack and ignore all other players, including those attacking him with melee weapons. Using this method, the "Gored!" ghostchievement can be easily obtained.
 
−
*Any on-hit effects such as the [[Buff Banner]]'s rage building are not triggered by the Horseless Headless Horsemann. The Horseless Headless Horsemann is also completely immune to all status ailments, such as being coated in [[Jarate]] or [[Mad Milk]], affected by afterburn, bleed, airblast, slowdown, [[Sandman|The Sandman's]] ball, and knockback, nor can he be marked for death. However, the Horseless Headless Horsemann is affected by Critical damage and damage ramp up/falloff. Damage to the Horseless Headless Horsemann does not display damage text, or play hit sounds.
 
−
*The control points stay active while the Horseless Headless Horsemann is out. It is a good strategy to use this time to take control of the point while the enemy is distracted.
 
−
*A strategy regarding RED on Point C is to stay as close as possible to the spawn and retreat into the spawn as soon as a player on said team is "It". The Horseless Headless Horsemann will spend most of the time chasing BLU, thus defending Point C. This strategy works well with Sentry Guns guarding the point.
 
−
*Use the gap around the final control point as a buffer. If the HHH gets too close, it is possible to simply jump the gap while he will be forced to maneuver around the crack in the floor in order to reach the player.
 
−
*Though the Horseless Headless Horsemann can chase the player designated "It" onto the roof of B, he cannot chase a player onto the roofs of the buildings near it. Therefore, it is still possible to deal damage without the risk of being killed.
 
−
*[[Sentry Gun]]s will not be targeted by the Horseless Headless Horsemann, however, they will still target him{{cite}}. This allows [[Engineer]]s to do damage without risk by placing a Sentry Gun and retreating. However, if the Wrangler is used to focus fire on the Horseman, he will begin targeting it.
 
−
*The damage dealt by the Horseman is equal to two times the current health of the player it strikes. This allows Spies using the [[Dead Ringer]] to survive.
 
  
−
For class specific strategies see [[Horseless Headless Horsemann match-ups]].
+
== Related achievements ==
 +
=== {{Achiev type link|scarechievements}} ===
 +
{{Achievement table
 +
| 1 = {{Show achievement|Halloween|Scared Stiff}}
 +
}}
  
−
== Demonstration ==
 
−
{{youtube|4cb2HG-6VlM}}
 
  
−
==Related achievements==
+
=== {{Achiev type link|ghostchievements}} ===
−
=== [[File:Pumpkin.png|20px|link=Scarechievements{{if lang}}]] [[Scarechievements]] ===
 
 
{{Achievement table
 
{{Achievement table
−
| 1 = {{Show achievement|Halloween|Scared Stiff}}
+
| 1 = {{Show achievement|Halloween|Sleepy Holl0wnd}}
 +
| 2 = {{Show achievement|Halloween|Gored!}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
=== [[File:Ghostchievements icon.png|20px|link=Ghostchievements]] [[Ghostchievements]] ===
+
 
 +
=== {{class link|Scout}}  ===
 
{{Achievement table
 
{{Achievement table
−
| {{Show achievement|Halloween|Sleepy Holl0wnd}}
+
| 1 = {{Show achievement|Scout|Foul Territory}}
−
| {{Show achievement|Halloween|Gored!}}
+
| 2 = {{Show achievement|Scout|Fall Classic}}
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 +
 +
=== {{class link|Demoman}} ===
 +
{{Show achievement|Demoman|He Who Celt It}}
  
 
== Update history ==
 
== Update history ==
−
'''[[October 27, 2010 Patch]]''' ([[Scream Fortress|Scream Fortress Update]])
+
{{Update history|
 +
'''{{Patch name|10|27|2010}}''' ([[Scream Fortress Update]])
 
* Introduced the Horseless Headless Horsemann to the game.
 
* Introduced the Horseless Headless Horsemann to the game.
  
−
'''[[October 28, 2010 Patch]]'''
+
'''{{Patch name|10|28|2010}}'''
 
* The Horseless Headless Horsemann can now climb the ladder at point B.
 
* The Horseless Headless Horsemann can now climb the ladder at point B.
  
−
'''[[November 1, 2010 Patch]]'''
+
'''{{Patch name|11|1|2010}}'''
 
* Fixed a minor issue with the Horseless Headless Horsemann.
 
* Fixed a minor issue with the Horseless Headless Horsemann.
  
−
'''[[May 5, 2011 Patch]]''' ([[Replay Update]])
+
'''{{Patch name|5|5|2011}}''' ([[Replay Update]])
 
* Fixed the Horseless Headless Horsemann displaying the burning material in DirectX8.
 
* Fixed the Horseless Headless Horsemann displaying the burning material in DirectX8.
 
* {{Undocumented}} [[Sentry Gun]]s and [[Bots]] now properly target the Horseless Headless Horsemann as an enemy.
 
* {{Undocumented}} [[Sentry Gun]]s and [[Bots]] now properly target the Horseless Headless Horsemann as an enemy.
 +
 +
'''{{Patch name|10|27|2011}}''' ([[Very Scary Halloween Special]])
 +
* {{Undocumented}} Damage notifications and hitsounds now appear when damaging the Horsemann, if they are enabled.
 +
 +
'''{{Patch name|10|29|2014}}''' ([[Scream Fortress 2014]])
 +
* Added HHH to [[Carnival of Carnage]].
 +
 +
'''{{Patch name|10|30|2014}}'''
 +
* Updated [[Carnival of Carnage|{{code|sd_doomsday_event}}]]
 +
** Updated HHH to use a giant [[Necro Smasher]] when attacking players.
 +
** Soccer game
 +
*** Added HHH, spawns 45 seconds into match.
 +
 +
'''{{Patch name|10|28|2015}}''' ([[Scream Fortress 2015]])
 +
* HHH's axe has dulled a bit and no longer guarantees death, but is still very lethal.
 +
 +
'''{{Patch name|6|21|2022}}'''
 +
* Fixed laggy animations on Halloween bosses, [[skeletons]], [[ghost]]s and other ghoul-like beings.
 +
 +
'''{{Patch name|10|9|2023}} #1''' ([[Scream Fortress 2023]])
 +
* Fixed {{code|ghost_pumpkin}} effect not playing correctly for the Horseless Headless Horsemann.
 +
}}
 +
 +
== Unused content ==
 +
* The Horseless Headless Horsemann has several unused animations that can be found in the game files. These include the "Cheers" thumbs up action and [[Medic]] calls. This is due to the Horseless Headless Horsemann using many of the Demoman's original animations.
 +
** Even though the Horseless Headless Horsemann never jumps, an unused jump animation exists from the original Demoman animations. The Horsemann walks around high obstacles or changes his target if confronted with an enemy on a higher ledge.
 +
* Aside from animations borrowed from Demoman, there are 2 unused animations for [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=924618081 "failing" a hive five taunt], which only the Horseless Headless Horsemann has.
 +
** The names of the unused taunt files are {{code|taunt_highfivefail}} and {{code|taunt_highfivefailfull}}.
  
 
== Bugs ==
 
== Bugs ==
−
*Grenades from the [[Loch-n-Load]] will bounce off the Horseless Headless Horsemann on contact.
+
* The Horseless Headless Horsemann may, in semi-rare cases, move right into players, rendering them completely stuck and vulnerable to a quick and painful death.
  
 
== Trivia ==
 
== Trivia ==
−
[[Image:Silas_Mann.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Presumably '''Silas Mann''' in the Mann family portrait. Notice that he is holding keys and nametags, and something is burning in the fireplace.]]
+
[[File:Silas Mann.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Presumably '''Silas Mann''' in the Mann family portrait. Notice that he is holding keys and that something is burning in the fireplace.]]
−
*The Horseless Headless Horsemann is a parody of the Headless Horseman from the story ''{{w|The Legend of Sleepy Hollow}}'' by {{w|Washington Irving}}.
+
 
−
*The Horseless Headless Horsemann has several unused animations that can be found in the game files. These include the "Cheers" thumbs up action and [[Medic]] calls. This is due to the Horseless Headless Horsemann using many of the Demoman's original animations.
+
* The Horseless Headless Horsemann is a parody of the Headless Horseman from the story ''[[w:The Legend of Sleepy Hollow|The Legend of Sleepy Hollow]]'' by [[w:Washington Irving|Washington Irving]].
−
**The animation the Horseless Headless Horsemann uses when walking changes depending on how much health he has. After he loses a certain percentage of health, (presumably 50%) he stops using the [[Eyelander]]/[[Skullcutter]]/[[Claidheamh Mòr]]/[[Half-Zatoichi]] walk animation (two handed) and starts using the [[Bottle]]/[[Pain Train]]/[[Frying Pan]]/[[Ullapool Caber]] walk animation (one handed).
+
* The Horseless Headless Horsemann's kills count as environmental deaths. Therefore, achievements such as ''Foul Territory'' for the Scout can be achieved by stunning someone about to be killed by the Horseless Headless Horsemann.
−
**There is an unused jump animation which is left over from the Demoman. This animation is unused, as the Horseless Headless Horsemann never actually jumps, though he will fall from a higher level if he is chasing someone. He will otherwise walk around height obstacles or change his target.
+
* Despite avoiding hazards such as pits, the Horsemann can be killed by other environmental hazards if he is spawned somewhere other than Mann Manor. He is killed in one hit by the trains on [[Well (Control Point)|Well]], for instance.
−
*The Horseless Headless Horsemann's kills count as environmental deaths. Therefore, achievements such as ''Foul Territory'' for the Scout can be achieved by stunning someone about to be killed by the Horseless Headless Horsemann.
+
* If The Horseless Headless Horsemann is spawned with other bosses (Merasmus or Monoculus), he still kills them in one hit.
−
*The health system of the HHH works similar to the one used in "Left 4 Dead" with the tank, the more human players there are, the more health he has.
+
* In Carnival of Carnage, Merasmus frequently refers to the Horseless Headless Horsemann as the "Headless Horseless Horsemann".
−
*The buckle on the HHH's belt shows a close resemblance to "Mustachio" from "Left 4 Dead 2".
+
* The internal name of the Horseless Headless Horsemann is [[vdc:headless_hatman|{{code|headless_hatman}}]].
  
−
==Gallery==
+
== Gallery ==
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
−
File:HHH_chase.jpg|The Horseless Headless Horsemann attacking some members of both teams
+
File:HHH chase.jpg|The Horseless Headless Horsemann attacking some members of both teams.
−
File:Horsemann.png|An in-game screenshot of the Horseless Headless Horsemann
+
File:Horsemann.png|An in-game screenshot of the Horseless Headless Horsemann holding the axe with one hand, indicating he's low on health.
 +
File:HHH Necro Smasher.png|An image of the Horseless Headless Horsemann with the [[Necro Smasher]], used on [[Carnival of Carnage]].
 
File:Marked for death Skull Hover.png|The icon displayed above "It".
 
File:Marked for death Skull Hover.png|The icon displayed above "It".
−
File:Ghost Yikes!.png|The icon which appears above a scared player  
+
File:Ghost Yikes!.png|The icon which appears above a scared player .
−
File:Killicon_horseless_headless_horsemann's_headtaker.png‎|The Horseless Headless Horsemann's kill icon
+
File:The HHH has appeared.PNG|Message that appears when Horseless Headless Horsemann spawns.
 +
File:The HHH has been defeated.PNG|Message that appears when Horseless Headless Horsemann is defeated.
 +
File:Bonesaw hhh.jpg|An in-game screenshot of the Hellishly Hollow Horseman, used on [[Bonesaw (map)|Bonesaw]].
 +
File:HHH Bonesaw.png|An image of the Hellishly Hollow Horseman, from Bonesaw.
 +
File:Gibbed Horsemann.png|Horseless Headless Horsemann's gibs
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
−
{{ScreamFortressNav}}
+
== See also ==
 +
* [[Horseless Headless Horsemann voice responses]]
 +
* [[Scream Fortress Update]]
 +
* [[MONOCULUS]]
 +
* [[Merasmus]]
 +
* [[Pocket Horsemann]]
 +
* [[Horseless Headless Horsemann's Headtaker]]
 +
* [[Pocket Halloween Boss]]
 +
* [[Skeletons|Skeleton King]]
 +
 
 +
== References ==
 +
<references/>
 +
 
 +
{{Scream Fortress Nav}}
 +
 
 
[[Category:Halloween]]
 
[[Category:Halloween]]
 +
[[Category:HHH]]
 
[[Category:Jiggleboned]]
 
[[Category:Jiggleboned]]

Latest revision as of 14:30, 18 July 2024

Horseless Headless Horsemann
Horseless Headless Horsemann
Kill Icon
Killicon horseless headless horsemann's headtaker.png
Basic Information
Health: 3,000 +200 for each player in the server
Damage Done: 80% of the victim's base health
Affected By:
• Battalion's Backup: No
• Bonk! Atomic Punch: Yes
• Candy Cane: No
• Chargin' Targe: No
• Dead Ringer: Yes
• Gunboats: No
• Mini-crits: No
• ÜberCharge: Yes
Found On: Mann Manor, Bloodwater, Carnival of Carnage, Hellstone, Brimstone, Gravestone, Graveyard, Slasher, Bonesaw
“
Listen closely! What's that you hear? Is it the clip clop of haunted hoofs? Nope. It's the terrifying, completely foot-generated clomping of the Horseless Headless Horseman! He's come to steal your soul! And, if you have one, your horse!
— The TF2 Blog
 ”

The Horseless Headless Horsemann, the undead form of Silas Mann, is a neutral enemy that first appeared in Mann Manor and can now be found in several Halloween maps, both Valve-made and community-created. In Mann Manor, approximately every 8 minutes, he spawns at the currently contested control point and hunts down players from both teams, provided there is at least 10 players in the server. He has a great deal of health, deals devastating damage in a single attack, and continues to rampage until defeated by the players. In Carnival of Carnage, he spawns in the Bumper Car Soccer and Falling Platform bumper car games after a certain amount of time, carrying the Necro Smasher instead of his normal weapon. On Hellstone, he spawns when the BLU team captures the second point, and there is a modest chance of him spawning in any game on Brimstone, Gravestone, and Slasher.

The Horseless Headless Horsemann is referred to as "Team Fortress's first boss monster" on the official Scream Fortress Update page.

Mechanics

Damage graph showing the number of players vs. the health of the Horseless Headless Horsemann.

NPC entity

The Horseless Headless Horsemann is classified as part of the map's environment; any kills made by him count as environmental deaths for the victim. On-hit effects, such as the charging of the Buff Banner, healing provided by the Black Box, or the L'Etranger refilling Cloak, do not trigger upon a successful attack against the Horsemann. Additionally, the Horseless Headless Horsemann is completely immune to all status ailments, such as Jarate, slowdown, or bleeding. He is, however, affected by Critical hits and damage ramp up/fall off.

If the Horseless Headless Horsemann is under half health, he will hold his axe in one hand instead of two-handing it.[1]

Player targeting

The Horseless Headless Horsemann designates any player on RED or BLU as "it" if they are within 1500 Hammer units of the current Control Point that BLU needs to capture. If there are no players within this 1500 Hammer unit range, he stands at the Control Point.

The player designated as "It" is notified via an on-screen message and marked with a floating white skull and crossbones icon. The Horseless Headless Horsemann changes targets if "It" is killed, to whoever killed "it", unless they are far away enough, is more than 2000 Hammer units away from the currently contested Control Point, gets Übered, or is in an area inaccessible to the Horseless Headless Horsemann, such as the respawn room. Additionally, a player can hit an enemy with a melee weapon to pass the "It" status to them, in a manner similar to tag.

Every now and then when attacking players, the Horseless Headless Horsemann may spread his arms and release a loud "Boo!" Any players within 500 Hammer units are stunned and placed into a state of fear. Players wearing the Horseless Headless Horsemann's Head or Saxton Hale Mask are immune to being stunned by the Horseless Headless Horsemann's taunt.

Health

The Horseless Headless Horsemann has a base health of 3000 that increases by 200 for each player in the server. His actual minimum possible health is 5000, as he does not spawn if there are fewer than 10 players in the server, while his maximum possible health is 9400, in an increased slot 32-player server. With the addition of -unrestricted_maxplayers in the July 25, 2023 Patch, the maximum may be even higher (up to 23000 max with 100 players).

Death

The Horseless Headless Horsemann begins to "shiver" when he has been defeated before exploding shortly afterwards. His defeat is announced via a sound and on-screen message to all players on the server. The last three players to damage the Horseless Headless Horsemann are credited with killing him.

Audio cues

These sounds play during the event:

‡Accompanied by a notification Popup.

†Shown through in-game chat.

Holiday items

Contributing to killing the Horseless Headless Horsemann awards both the Sleepy Holl0wnd Ghostchievement and the Horseless Headless Horsemann's Head cosmetic. If a player is credited with killing the Horseless Horsemann with a melee attack, the player receives an Unusual Haunted Metal Scrap and the Gored Ghostchievement.

Strategy

Main article: Community Mann Manor strategy
Main article: Horseless Headless Horsemann match-ups

Related achievements

Pumpkin.png Scarechievements

Scared Stiff
 Scared Stiff
Kill a player scared by a ghost.


Ghostchievements icon.png Ghostchievements

Sleepy Holl0WND
 Sleepy Holl0WND
Kill the Horseless Headless Horsemann.

Reward: Horseless Headless Horsemann's Head

Gored!
 Gored!
Collect the Horseless Headless Horsemann's Haunted Metal Scrap.


Leaderboard class scout.png Scout

Foul Territory
 Foul Territory
Cause an environmental death by stunning or slowing an enemy.
Fall Classic
 Fall Classic
Cause an environmental death or suicide using the Force-A-Nature's knockback.


Leaderboard class demoman.png Demoman

He Who Celt It
 He Who Celt It
Use the Sticky Launcher to kill an enemy player via environmental damage.


Update history

October 27, 2010 Patch (Scream Fortress Update)
  • Introduced the Horseless Headless Horsemann to the game.

October 28, 2010 Patch

  • The Horseless Headless Horsemann can now climb the ladder at point B.

November 1, 2010 Patch

  • Fixed a minor issue with the Horseless Headless Horsemann.

May 5, 2011 Patch (Replay Update)

  • Fixed the Horseless Headless Horsemann displaying the burning material in DirectX8.
  • [Undocumented] Sentry Guns and Bots now properly target the Horseless Headless Horsemann as an enemy.

October 27, 2011 Patch (Very Scary Halloween Special)

  • [Undocumented] Damage notifications and hitsounds now appear when damaging the Horsemann, if they are enabled.

October 29, 2014 Patch (Scream Fortress 2014)

October 30, 2014 Patch

October 28, 2015 Patch (Scream Fortress 2015)

  • HHH's axe has dulled a bit and no longer guarantees death, but is still very lethal.

June 21, 2022 Patch

  • Fixed laggy animations on Halloween bosses, skeletons, ghosts and other ghoul-like beings.

October 9, 2023 Patch #1 (Scream Fortress 2023)

  • Fixed ghost_pumpkin effect not playing correctly for the Horseless Headless Horsemann.

Unused content

  • The Horseless Headless Horsemann has several unused animations that can be found in the game files. These include the "Cheers" thumbs up action and Medic calls. This is due to the Horseless Headless Horsemann using many of the Demoman's original animations.
    • Even though the Horseless Headless Horsemann never jumps, an unused jump animation exists from the original Demoman animations. The Horsemann walks around high obstacles or changes his target if confronted with an enemy on a higher ledge.
  • Aside from animations borrowed from Demoman, there are 2 unused animations for "failing" a hive five taunt, which only the Horseless Headless Horsemann has.
    • The names of the unused taunt files are taunt_highfivefail and taunt_highfivefailfull.

Bugs

  • The Horseless Headless Horsemann may, in semi-rare cases, move right into players, rendering them completely stuck and vulnerable to a quick and painful death.

Trivia

Presumably Silas Mann in the Mann family portrait. Notice that he is holding keys and that something is burning in the fireplace.
  • The Horseless Headless Horsemann is a parody of the Headless Horseman from the story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving.
  • The Horseless Headless Horsemann's kills count as environmental deaths. Therefore, achievements such as Foul Territory for the Scout can be achieved by stunning someone about to be killed by the Horseless Headless Horsemann.
  • Despite avoiding hazards such as pits, the Horsemann can be killed by other environmental hazards if he is spawned somewhere other than Mann Manor. He is killed in one hit by the trains on Well, for instance.
  • If The Horseless Headless Horsemann is spawned with other bosses (Merasmus or Monoculus), he still kills them in one hit.
  • In Carnival of Carnage, Merasmus frequently refers to the Horseless Headless Horsemann as the "Headless Horseless Horsemann".
  • The internal name of the Horseless Headless Horsemann is headless_hatman.

Gallery

  • The Horseless Headless Horsemann attacking some members of both teams.

  • An in-game screenshot of the Horseless Headless Horsemann holding the axe with one hand, indicating he's low on health.

  • An image of the Horseless Headless Horsemann with the Necro Smasher, used on Carnival of Carnage.

  • The icon displayed above "It".

  • The icon which appears above a scared player .

  • Message that appears when Horseless Headless Horsemann spawns.

  • Message that appears when Horseless Headless Horsemann is defeated.

  • An in-game screenshot of the Hellishly Hollow Horseman, used on Bonesaw.

  • An image of the Hellishly Hollow Horseman, from Bonesaw.

  • Horseless Headless Horsemann's gibs

See also

References

  1. ↑ game\server\tf\halloween\halloween_behavior:L432-448
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